LEMOSHO ROUTE 8 DAYS

Lemosho route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. By crossing from Shira Ridge to Shira 2 camp, the route offers a chance to visit the Shira Plateau and caldera. It is a pleasant hike and the hikers experience the low traffic with vast vistas of scenic views till it joins the Machame route. After that both the Lemosho and the Machame together proceed further with the same track that passes through the Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit. The minimum days required to summit by the Lemosho route is the 7, but 8 days is recommended as it will give more chance to acclimatize and achieve the summit.

Secondly the variations of landscapes Lemosho pass through makes it one of the most beautiful routes to the summit. The rainforest in the beginning, the spectacular Shira plateau and then all those viewpoints it shares with the Machame route around the southern circuit make it one of the best route to proceed. Lemosho has low crowds until it combines with Machame. Lemosho is highly recommended and it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season from Longido game controlled area.

Because the starting point is far from Moshi, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting hikers to the gate. A vehicle is used to bring hikers to the gate, where the trail begins in the montane rainforest. Lemosho trekkers have a longer distance to shield in the tropical rain forest ecosystem than other routes, and as a result hikers do not exit the rainforest until the end of day two. This plan means that the Lemosho route is a longer route, usually taking 7 to 8 days to complete.

LEMOSHO ROUTE ITINERARY 8 DAYS + 2 DAYS IN MOSHI

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

Our friendly transfer driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport. After loading the luggage into the vehicle you will make your way to your hotel for the evening. You can relax the rest of the day or go and explore the small town of Moshi. Our team will meet you later the day to have a preliminary talk in preparation for the days to follow.

Day 2: Moshi – Londorossi Gate (2250m) – Big Tree Camp (2780m)

After breakfast you will make your way to the Londorossi gate which is about a 2 hour drive from Moshi. After finalizing all the registration papers you will continue another 15km on a bumpy road which will take you to the start of this trek deep in the rainforest. Today will be a shortest walk of the entire trek, about 2½ hours, which gives you a small taste of what lies ahead in the coming days. The walk takes you through dense and unspoiled rainforest, which is very different from the scenery you will have in the next couple of days. Your destination for the day is the beautiful Big Tree Camp at 2780m

Day 3: Big Tree Camp (2780m) – Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

After breakfast you will follow a thin trail through the rainforest before leaving the green area behind heading into moorland. Erica and Lobelia plants will start to take over the landscape. After about 3-4 hours you will reach Shira Camp one where you will have your evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 4: Shira Camp 1 (3500m) – Shira Camp 2 (3900m)

After breakfast you continue your trek, which today will be less tiring than the day before. You will cross Shira Ridge which will allow for great views of the Rift Valley and Mt Meru. The ever changing landscape will again surprise you with a different terrain- you will walk on ground where lava once flowed. You will also pass the big Senecien that can grow to more or less 9 meters in height. Shira Camp 2 will be your destination for the night at (3900m), 400m more than night before.

After breakfast you will start your walk up to Lava Tower with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau. You will climb quite a bit in altitude, roughly 740m. You will have a rest here before descending again. This is a so called acclimatizing day, where you will climb high but sleep low, giving you a good idea of how your body reacts to altitude. You would experience a different landscape while passing through the Barranco Valley filled with the big Senecias and smaller Lobelia plants. After six to seven hours of hiking you would reach at the destination of your overnight stay: the Barranco Camp. The crew will be there waiting with a well deserve evening meal before settling in for the night.

Day 6: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Karanga Camp (4035m)

Straight after breakfast you will make your way up the famous Barranco Wall. This is most probably the steepest part of the entire route. Safety is very important to us so please follow the guideline of your guides who will get you to the top safely. You might have to use your hands every now and then to get a better grip but rest assured there are no alpine climbing passages. Once at the top you will walk along the mountain ridge and if the weather allows you will have a great view of the southern glacier of Kibo as the Kibo summit. After three to four hours you will reach Karanga Camp for your overnight.

Day 7: Karanga Camp (4035m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

Barafu Camp is your destination for today at 4640m. You will start after breakfast and should reach it in about three to four hours. The scenery for today will be mostly afro-alpine dessert. Once at the camp you will have a filling early dinner before settling in for a good rest in preparation for tomorrow exciting climb.

Day 8: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

Your day will begin at 00:00. After hot tea and biscuits you will start your five to seven hours walk to Stella Point, the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Here you will have a short rest if necessary before continuing another one to two hours to reach the highlight of the trip the Uhuru Peak (5895m). This is truly a once in a lifetime experience as you stand at the top of Africa watching the sunrise light up the surrounding summits and landscape. After taking much needed pictures you will make your way down back to Barafu Camp for a one to two hours rest. Once everyone is well, you will continue down to Mweka gate (3080m), an approximation of three hours walk. The rest of the evening is for you to relax, you’ll have a nice evening meal and a good night sleep.

Day 9: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – Moshi

After breakfast, before starting your final stretch, you will enjoy a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain guides. Two to three hours walk will take you through the rainforest back the Mweka Gate. Our driver will be there waiting for you and take you back to your hotel in Moshi. The rest of the day you will relax and to reflect back on this once in a lifetime experience.

Day 10:Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport

After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

8 Days Lemosho Route + 2 nights hotel

SOLO(1)Personal

2 Persons

3 Persons

4-5 Persons

6-8 Persons

9-10-Persons

US$2410

US$2150

US$ 1950

US$1910

US$1845

US$ 1810

Price includes;

Park fees, camping fees, Hut fees & rescue fees

Twice a day medical health checkup, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope with basic first kit